R. is Cynara's lover. In the Margaret Mitchell novel, R. was known as Rhett Butler. R. is married to Cynara's sister, but the death of their child, Precious, and a long standing crush on his wife's part has ended R.s marriage. Although still legally married, R. spends most of his time with Cynara in a home he built for her. R. talks to Cynara about marrying her one day, but Cynara never takes his words very seriously.
When Other dies, R. rushes to her in order to take care of the funeral and to care for her other two children. When he returns, Cynara can see the toll her death has taken on him. R. is suddenly older and tired, grieving. However, R. still proposes to Cynara, finally convincing her of his seriousness by showing her a letter written on behalf of her mother. Cynara cries when she hears this because it is the first evidence of love from her mother she has ever had.
